Editor’s note: From time to time our blog will feature posts from well-known enthusiasts within the classic bike world. John Landstrom, vintage enthusaist and owner of Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross, Ga., is our first guest blogger.
The J. Wood and Co. auction is always a highlight of the Daytona Bike Week vintage events. Sunshine and 80 degree days greeted vintage bike enthusiasts at Stetson University in Deland, Fla., where the auction was held.
Buyers and sellers alike respect Jerry Wood for running a straight, honest auction with both affordable and high quality bikes. This year’s auction had an amazing 96 percent sell ratio with a record number of bikes going at no reserve. Units sold numbered 202. Total dollar volume was also a record-breaking $1.25 million. Valuable and collectible bikes brought record prices. New this year was a live broadcast of the auction on Dish Network’s Treasure Channel. As antique motorcycle auctions get more mainstream media coverage, we can expect more buyers and higher prices.
Lot 53, Vincent Egli. From the Jeff Glasserow collection, built by Big Sid Biberman. I had the pleasure of riding this bike 10 years ago, and it was a sweet running Vincent with a SuperTrapp exhaust, 4-shoe brake and the famous Swiss-made Egli chassis. With Black Shadows fetching $50,000-plus, this nice Egli was well bought at $33,000 plus commission.
Lot 30, a 1975 Hercules Wankel 2000. An extremely clean, low-mileage bike with original paint. These German bikes were expensive when new, and looking somewhat like a Hoover vacuum cleaner, were not big sellers. Today they are rare and unique, along with the other rotary-engined motorcycles offered by Suzuki and Norton (and don’t forget Van Veen!), rotaries appeal to collectors of the unusual. This one was priced about right for its good condition, and sold for $7,200 plus commission.
Lot 17, MV Agusta Uni Wheel (art display). Weird and wacky, this whimsical sculpture depicts a one-wheeled motorcycle that would be impossible to ride if it ran (which it doesn’t). Fine workmanship and a few overzealous bidders drove the price through the roof to $17,500 plus commission. A high price, but where are you going to find another one? At this price, I expect to see more next year.
Lot 71, a 1954 BMW R68. A restored, numbers-matching R68 with ISDT (International Six Days Trials) replica upgrades. Sold at $23,000, a fair price for buyer and seller. BMW R68s are rare and sure to climb in price. The ISDT parts add little to its value, but make for an interesting ride.
Lot 163, a 1946 Indian Chief. Mostly original but in need of restoration, the paint was old, scratched, and not original, the speedometer was broken, and it looked a little rough, though it was said to run. Not sold at $16,000. I think the seller should have taken the money and run. This old Chief will take a lot of money to make right.
— John Landstrom
